Synonym Chooser

How is the word loyal distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of loyal are constant, faithful, resolute, staunch, and steadfast. While all these words mean "firm in adherence to whatever one owes allegiance," loyal implies a firm resistance to any temptation to desert or betray.

remained loyal to the czar

When is constant a more appropriate choice than loyal?

The meanings of constant and loyal largely overlap; however, constant stresses continuing firmness of emotional attachment without necessarily implying strict obedience to promises or vows.

constant friends

When can faithful be used instead of loyal?

Although the words faithful and loyal have much in common, faithful implies unswerving adherence to a person or thing or to the oath or promise by which a tie was contracted.

faithful to her promise

When would resolute be a good substitute for loyal?

The synonyms resolute and loyal are sometimes interchangeable, but resolute implies firm determination to adhere to a cause or purpose.

a resolute ally

When is it sensible to use staunch instead of loyal?

While the synonyms staunch and loyal are close in meaning, staunch suggests fortitude and resolution in adherence and imperviousness to influences that would weaken it.

a staunch defender of free speech

Where would steadfast be a reasonable alternative to loyal?

While in some cases nearly identical to loyal, steadfast implies a steady and unwavering course in love, allegiance, or conviction.

steadfast in their support

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of loyal These people appear loyal, but only because their careers are tied to the leader staying in power. Erica Frantz, The Conversation, 16 May 2025 When Orbán came to power, one of his first appointees was his loyal friend Péter Polt as the country’s chief prosecutor. Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 16 May 2025 The loyal subscriber base of Fox News Channel is also expected to erode, falling about 8.8% to 58.9 million by the end of 2026, according to Kagan, compared with 64.6 million in 2024. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 16 May 2025 But questions swirled for weeks over whether Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene -- a firebrand conservative and one of Trump's most loyal allies in the House -- would run for Senate. Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 15 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for loyal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for loyal
Adjective
  • Despite Aspinall winning the interim crown, UFC CEO Dana White remained steadfast in saying that Jones vs. Miocic was the fight to make.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025
  • Over the years, the Biden family has confronted unimaginable adversity with grace and steadfast perseverance.
    Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 18 May 2025
Adjective
  • Macgregor, a staunch anti-interventionist, advocates for dropping Russian sanctions completely rather than imposing more, and argues the U.S. national strategic interests do not conflict with Russia’s.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 28 May 2025
  • Makary, who was sworn in to lead the FDA on April 1, is a controversial Johns Hopkins University surgeon and researcher who gained national attention as a staunch critic of the federal response to COVID.
    Muri Assunção, New York Daily News, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • But being faithful to existing customers is one of her most important obligations.
    Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
  • Normally the complaint with an adaptation is that the show or film's creators are ruining the story somehow by being insufficiently faithful to the source material and losing something in the process.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • In 2023, Caviezel, a devout Catholic, starred in mega box office breakout Sound Of Freedom, produced by faith-friendly Angel Studios, and is next due to reprise his role as Jesus in Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 May 2025
  • Local family members and friends know the new pontiff as a lifelong devout Catholic and former altar boy who makes frequent trips back home to the Chicago area, cheering for the White Sox and enjoying a slice of Aurelio’s pizza when back in town.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2025
Adjective
  • The formula for ‘true tackles’ is slightly more long-winded: tackles + challenges lost + fouls committed.
    Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 28 May 2025
  • The young man is at a crossroads between pursuing shallow, glitzy easy money, or being true to his emotional and artistic muses.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 27 May 2025
Adjective
  • In 2023, the department became one of the few agencies in the country to open a dedicated wellness room for its officers.
    Katja Ridderbusch, NPR, 26 May 2025
  • Feige was hailed as a dedicated employee who worked for the DEP for 33 years in the marine section of operations.
    Julian Roberts-Grmela, New York Daily News, 26 May 2025
Adjective
  • By statute, three quarters of that money is devoted to television, one quarter to radio.
    David Folkenflik, NPR, 27 May 2025
  • Newsletter Get our high school sports newsletter Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
    Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Loyal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/loyal. Accessed 1 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on loyal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!